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"I don’t think you can choose a president based on their personal behavior[...]"

CriticalThought

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I can honestly say this quote by Falwell Jr., where he lays out a leader's policies are more important than their character or integrity, is the most stunning thing I have heard. Not because of its absurdity, but by the sheer fact that a third of this country clearly believes it. One thing I remember about every atrocious leader in history is one unifying theme. Everything they did they and their supporters justified as "what was best for the country". When someone admits there is nothing someone can do to lose their support, that is no longer a supporter but a follower. Trump has amassed an army of followers.
 
I can honestly say this quote by Falwell Jr., where he lays out a leader's policies are more important than their character or integrity, is the most stunning thing I have heard. Not because of its absurdity, but by the sheer fact that a third of this country clearly believes it. One thing I remember about every atrocious leader in history is one unifying theme. Everything they did they and their supporters justified as "what was best for the country". When someone admits there is nothing someone can do to lose their support, that is no longer a supporter but a follower. Trump has amassed an army of followers.

You want to know something odd? these exact words were said by members of this forum when republicans would slander Clinton all those years ago. Now, all of a sudden, democrats care about character.
 
I can honestly say this quote by Falwell Jr., where he lays out a leader's policies are more important than their character or integrity, is the most stunning thing I have heard. Not because of its absurdity, but by the sheer fact that a third of this country clearly believes it. One thing I remember about every atrocious leader in history is one unifying theme. Everything they did they and their supporters justified as "what was best for the country". When someone admits there is nothing someone can do to lose their support, that is no longer a supporter but a follower. Trump has amassed an army of followers.

Can you show me where Falwell Jr. says this? I just don't see it. In fact, in that interview he hints at what would cause Trump to lose his support:

Only because I know that he only wants what’s best for this country, and I know anything he does, it may not be ideologically “conservative,” but it’s going to be what’s best for this country, and I can’t imagine him doing anything that’s not good for the country.

This is why Falwell Jr. supports Trump. If Trump changed in this respect, Falwell would no longer support him. It's not about Trump's personal behavior. It's about what Trump is actually doing for the country.

Trump supporters are looking to see if Trump is doing what's best for this country. So far, he is doing that. When he stops, he will lose their support.

Perhaps you should look more at what Trump is doing, instead of following the Trump hater's tactic of ignoring his actions and pushing negative spin about his character.
 
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Can you show me where Falwell Jr. says this? I just don't see it. In fact, in that interview he hints at what would cause Trump to lose his support:



This is why Falwell Jr. supports Trump. If Trump changed in this respect, Falwell would no longer support him. It's not about Trump's personal behavior. It's about what Trump is actually doing for the country.

Trump supporters are looking to see if Trump is doing what's best for this country. So far, he is doing that. When he stops, he will lose their support.

Perhaps you should look more at what Trump is doing, instead of following the Trump hater's tactic of ignoring his actions and pushing negative spin about his character.

The only thing I see the OP attributing to Falwell Jr. is the thread title.

It’s not much of a “push” or “spin” regarding the character,unless one is a...............Oh, that’s right......
 
I can honestly say this quote by Falwell Jr., where he lays out a leader's policies are more important than their character or integrity, is the most stunning thing I have heard. Not because of its absurdity, but by the sheer fact that a third of this country clearly believes it. One thing I remember about every atrocious leader in history is one unifying theme. Everything they did they and their supporters justified as "what was best for the country". When someone admits there is nothing someone can do to lose their support, that is no longer a supporter but a follower. Trump has amassed an army of followers.

That kind of thing is a dangerous proposition because people give up their critical thinking skills. Those in power are flawed human beings like the rest of us; what we hope is they have done better to move beyond some of their flaws and can think in much broader terms as representatives of a diverse population. However, we should always remember that power corrupts and that people are flawed, so we have no way of knowing whether a leader's interests are always going to be in line with the country's interests. I completely disagree with Falwell Jr's comment about "knowing" Trump (or any president) has the country's best interests at heart. The truth is he doesn't "know", he just assumes that's the case based on Trump's rhetoric which aligns with his views.
 
Falwell's father was a grotesque, disgusting, hideous man that incited rage and anger.

They are morose charlatans at absolute best and everything this brain dead moron says is to be utterly dismissed as the partisan rhetoric it is.
 
Falwell Jr. will be busy with the pool boy thing in 2019, best to just ignore him.
 
Ah yes, the ever steady hand of the Evangelical voter.

God I couldn’t imagine if, strike every other thing, but Obama had ****ed porn stars and paid them for their silence, all up and down the far right wing evangelical blogosphere and Fox News, they would not have shut up about it and used it as an example of the decadence of the Democratic Party and the president.

That example alone, shows they are the worst kind of hypocrites, they vote en masse to deny certain types of people rights, women, their reproductive rights... all in the name of morality... and look who has their unwavering support without question, a guy like Trump.

Reactionary Christianity man, a ****ing farce.
 
I can honestly say this quote by Falwell Jr., where he lays out a leader's policies are more important than their character or integrity, is the most stunning thing I have heard. Not because of its absurdity, but by the sheer fact that a third of this country clearly believes it. One thing I remember about every atrocious leader in history is one unifying theme. Everything they did they and their supporters justified as "what was best for the country". When someone admits there is nothing someone can do to lose their support, that is no longer a supporter but a follower. Trump has amassed an army of followers.

Every president amasses an army of followers. The party faithful who back their party's president through thick and thin, good or bad. Trump has his army, Obama had his, the GOP referred to them as Obamabots. Folks who would support Obama regardless of what he did or stood for. Bush II had his army, so too Bill Clinton. Especially through all his sexcapades. Not a Democrat would desert him. Keep on going back, perhaps the lone exception was Richard Nixon. Yet even with Nixon, his faithful, approximately 50% of the Republican Party thought he was railroaded out of office by political motivated vindictive Democrats.

You're not going to get any converts out of the partisan political faithful. They'll back their party and president regardless. What you need to do is concentrate on independents, the swing voters, the less to non-partisans. They'll switch, a lot have already. Trump and the Republican Party can't win elections without winning independents. The Democratic Party is still the larger of the two parties. Trump won the independent in 2016 and the presidency. Democratic congressional candidates won the independent vote in 2018 and picked up 40 seats and control of the house.

My advice, forget about avid Trumpers, they aren't going anywhere. Concentrate on independents, after all, independents make up the largest voting block, approximately 43% of the total electorate. At least according to Gallup, Democrats make up 30%, Republicans 26%. Forget trying to convert Republicans to becoming Democrats, ain't gonna happen. You now have a switch in independents switching, from 42% voting for Hillary, to 54% voting democratic congressional candidates in 2018. Keep them, you're home free.
 
I can honestly say this quote by Falwell Jr., where he lays out a leader's policies are more important than their character or integrity, is the most stunning thing I have heard. Not because of its absurdity, but by the sheer fact that a third of this country clearly believes it. One thing I remember about every atrocious leader in history is one unifying theme. Everything they did they and their supporters justified as "what was best for the country". When someone admits there is nothing someone can do to lose their support, that is no longer a supporter but a follower. Trump has amassed an army of followers.

When a Democrat is in office, character is the most important thing to conservatives. When an R is in office, it doesn't matter. Those are the right-wing rules. Look at how the religious right wrung their hands over Bill Clinton for years but for some reason they love them some trump.
 
Can you show me where Falwell Jr. says this? I just don't see it. In fact, in that interview he hints at what would cause Trump to lose his support:



This is why Falwell Jr. supports Trump. If Trump changed in this respect, Falwell would no longer support him. It's not about Trump's personal behavior. It's about what Trump is actually doing for the country.

Trump supporters are looking to see if Trump is doing what's best for this country. So far, he is doing that. When he stops, he will lose their support.

Perhaps you should look more at what Trump is doing, instead of following the Trump hater's tactic of ignoring his actions and pushing negative spin about his character.

I don't need no stinkin' Camelot. I don't need no stinkin's Rockwellian visage with (the Obamas) mom, dad, attractive young kids, grandma and fluffy dogs around the hearth. I need my country to succeed.
I wish the Trump haters would stop needing their parents in the White House.
 
I can honestly say this quote by Falwell Jr., where he lays out a leader's policies are more important than their character or integrity, is the most stunning thing I have heard. Not because of its absurdity, but by the sheer fact that a third of this country clearly believes it. One thing I remember about every atrocious leader in history is one unifying theme. Everything they did they and their supporters justified as "what was best for the country". When someone admits there is nothing someone can do to lose their support, that is no longer a supporter but a follower. Trump has amassed an army of followers.

That applies to every president and his supporters.
 
Some people consider JFK and LBJ to have been great presidents in spite of their personal lives.

Some people consider RMN to have been a bad president in spite of his being faithful to Patricia.

So maybe the Rev. Mr. Falwell has a valid point.
 
Every president amasses an army of followers. The party faithful who back their party's president through thick and thin, good or bad. Trump has his army, Obama had his, the GOP referred to them as Obamabots. Folks who would support Obama regardless of what he did or stood for. Bush II had his army, so too Bill Clinton. Especially through all his sexcapades. Not a Democrat would desert him. Keep on going back, perhaps the lone exception was Richard Nixon. Yet even with Nixon, his faithful, approximately 50% of the Republican Party thought he was railroaded out of office by political motivated vindictive Democrats.

...................... What you need to do is concentrate on independents, the swing voters, the less to non-partisans.....

Pero, thank you for the “both sides do it “ post. I just need to point out that my side doesn’t have to lie to criticize trump. Your side lied non stop about President Obama. I also need to point out that my side did not flip flop on literally every issue to continue to support President Obama. Your side did. Here’s a quick list of things conservatives have flip flopped on

Debt and Deficits
Presidential Vacations/golf
Acting presidential
Undermining our allies/embolden our enemies
Repealing Obamacare
Investigations into corruption
Adultery
The rule of law


I didn’t have to flush my values and integrity down the toilet to support President Obama. Conservatives did flush their values and integrity down the toilet. So Pero, what you need to do is concentrate on the facts.
 
The Trump Presidency has exposed the hypocrisy of so many evangelicals. Not all of them, but a lot of them. Particularly among their leadership.
 
The Trump Presidency has exposed the hypocrisy of so many evangelicals. Not all of them, but a lot of them. Particularly among their leadership.

If I'm responsible for some guy in a vape shop then conservatives are responsible for the flaming hypocrisy of evangelicals.
 
I can honestly say this quote by Falwell Jr., where he lays out a leader's policies are more important than their character or integrity, is the most stunning thing I have heard. Not because of its absurdity, but by the sheer fact that a third of this country clearly believes it. One thing I remember about every atrocious leader in history is one unifying theme. Everything they did they and their supporters justified as "what was best for the country". When someone admits there is nothing someone can do to lose their support, that is no longer a supporter but a follower. Trump has amassed an army of followers.

So you feel that the success or failure of policies and programs means nothing to leadership of a country?

Is it only whether or not the president gives you a tingle due to the crease in his pants?

You seem to travel a long way from the first thought to the last one in your post.
 
You want to know something odd? these exact words were said by members of this forum when republicans would slander Clinton all those years ago. Now, all of a sudden, democrats care about character.

And now, all of a sudden, conservatives don't.
 
And now, all of a sudden, conservatives don't.
'conservatives' learned to progress....at least that's what the 1990's-2000's liberal would say. What's the democrat's excuse for regressing on this idea? Why was it progressive to see through a president's personal behavior back then, and now, it's not progressive at all to discount the president's personal behaviour? I'm serious, what changed the democrat's mind on this?
 
I don't need no stinkin' Camelot. I don't need no stinkin's Rockwellian visage with (the Obamas) mom, dad, attractive young kids, grandma and fluffy dogs around the hearth. I need my country to succeed.
I wish the Trump haters would stop needing their parents in the White House.

Their parents?

Actually, my mother would have been a good president. Strict but fair. Logical, reasonable, and with a motto of "question authority," even hers.

What I want, I'm unlikely to get: a smart but boring man or woman with a strong work ethic, an ego strong enough to take the advice of the experts he or she hires, and not beholden to corporate America nor any of the deep pocket lobbyists on K Street.

What I want is a slow news day.
 
Some people consider JFK and LBJ to have been great presidents in spite of their personal lives.

Some people consider RMN to have been a bad president in spite of his being faithful to Patricia.

So maybe the Rev. Mr. Falwell has a valid point.

I prefer people who keep their vows, whatever those may be. That Nixon was faithful to his wife is less important than the fact that he was not faithful to we the people or our constitution.
 
'conservatives' learned to progress....at least that's what the 1990's-2000's liberal would say. What's the democrat's excuse for regressing on this idea? Why was it progressive to see through a president's personal behavior back then, and now, it's not progressive at all to discount the president's personal behaviour? I'm serious, what changed the democrat's mind on this?

Laughable nonsense. The conservatives don't progress. They stagnate. Hence the entire ideology.

Both sides do this sort of sordid game of cat and mouse and use the term patriotism or the euphamism "good of the country" to justify their hypocrisy.

At the end of the day, Trump has exposed Evangelicals for the hypocritical liars and crooks they are. Their embrace of this conman to continue the expansion of the rights of an ideology is an odious, hate filled thing to do and they are the last lot that ought to be throwing stones.

Evangelical christians are the single reason we still support Israel like we do. The single reason science is questioned. Why public school is under such assault.

Evangelicals, motivated by Falwell's fahter, are what is principally wrong with this nation.
 
'conservatives' learned to progress....at least that's what the 1990's-2000's liberal would say. What's the democrat's excuse for regressing on this idea? Why was it progressive to see through a president's personal behavior back then, and now, it's not progressive at all to discount the president's personal behaviour? I'm serious, what changed the democrat's mind on this?

I can't speak for Democrats. Never joined up, with any party. But as a liberal, I definitely did not discount the fact that Clinton couldn't keep it zipped, and I'm not alone on the left in that regard. I started calling him Mr. Smarmy in 1991, and haven't changed my mind.
 
You want to know something odd? these exact words were said by members of this forum when republicans would slander Clinton all those years ago. Now, all of a sudden, democrats care about character.

That's for sure. They defended President Obama to the hilt when he went on camera to lie and lie and lie and lie again to the American people to garner support for Obamacare. They didn't question him and defended him when he and his Secretary of State--that would be Hillary of course--and his U.N. ambassador, Susan Rice, went on camera again and again and again to blame an offensive video for the attack on our ambassador and staff at Benghazi even when it became apparent they knew better.

That is enough to expose their hypocrisy when it comes to President Trump. We don't even have to go all the way back to President Clinton's administration which was a classic in evaluating Presidential character.

And now they pretty much refuse to engage in any serious debate on policy initiatives but attack President Trump personally and based on the fact they accuse him of being a terrible person. And they can't see how that exposes their own lack of character.

I've lived through a lot of presidencies, but I have never witnessed anything like this.
 
that is no longer a supporter but a follower. Trump has amassed an army of followers.

A Religion is nothing more than a cult that has been around long enough and amassed enough followers that its power makes it difficult to insult with the word cult. Evangelical Christians even more so than many other religions are particularly cult-like in that the focus on the idea of being born again. It's not just that they are proselytized to as children and grow up never questioning what they were told. These are generally people who as adults seek out religious help with their insecurities and problems and find the group think comforting and validating. They literally see themselves as sheep and are happily in search of guidance from their shepherd. This is the exact type of mass ignorance that is responsible for virtually all of the worlds most horrific genocides and tragedies.
 
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